jack welch, former chairman of ge accused the white house of cooking the books he said these chicago guys will do anything when pressed by chris matthews, he wouldn't take it back. >> i have no evidence to prove that. i just raised the question. >> did you talk to the economists or any of the people in the accounting world that understood how the numbers were put together before you accuse the chicago guys of changing the numbers? >> it seems like a coincidence, that one month before the election they would end up at 7.8. >> reporter: the numbers are crunched by the economists and the independent bureau of labor statistics, civil servants, not employees. >> these are skilled people working in the bls, it is ridiculous to hear that kind of statement. >> reporter: a prominent romney supporter agrees. >> there was no way they were manipulated for political purposes. the people that put it together were civil servants, the experts in the area. the process was one of integrity. >> reporter: while some see it as a boost, romney is trying to neutralize the attack, over his comments regardin